How Persistence Built A Top 1% Career | Evan Sophir

How Persistence Built A Top 1% Career | Evan Sophir

Everybody wants success. Very few people are willing to do what it actually takes to earn it. In this episode of the Gold Coast Podcast, Eric Winegard sits down with Evan Sophir, luxury Realtor at SERHANT, for a conversation about persistence, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, client relationships, branding, and why service, not sales, is what separates the top 1% from everyone else. Evan shares the story of sending more than 200 emails just to get a few minutes with Ryan Serhant, years before eventually joining the company. What started as persistence became a full-circle moment that changed the trajectory of his career. But this conversation isn't really about real estate. It's about building trust. Serving people at the highest level. Creating a reputation that speaks louder than marketing ever could. And becoming the kind of professional people can't stop recommending. The conversation also takes an unexpected turn into fatherhood, family, mentorship, sports, discipline, and what success actually means once you have people depending on you. In This Episode: How 200 emails changed Evan's life Why service always beats selling What SERHANT. looks for in top agents Building a luxury brand through relationships The future of real estate marketing Becoming a top 1% Realtor before age 30 Why persistence creates opportunity Fatherhood and redefining success Personal branding that actually works Why trust is your greatest asset Whether you're in sales, business, real estate, or simply trying to become better at your craft, this conversation is packed with practical lessons that apply far beyond buying and selling homes. Guest: Evan Sophir Luxury Realtor | SERHANT Instagram: @evansophir Hosted by: Eric Winegard CEO of Rare Blue Moon Marketing Instagram: @goldcoast_podcast & @ericwinegardofficial Thank you all for listening in on today's episode of The Gold Coast Podcast!

What Happens When You Bet Everything On Yourself? | Angelo Verardi

Most people see the finished product. The business. The success. The family. The freedom. What they don't see are the years of uncertainty, the sleepless nights, the risks that could have gone completely sideways, and the moments where quitting would've been the easier option. In this episode of the Gold Coast Podcast, Eric Winegard sits down with Angelo Verardi, founder of AV Mechanical, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, fatherhood, immigration, risk-taking, building a business from scratch, and what it really means to bet on yourself. Angelo shares his journey from a young tradesman in Canada to building a successful commercial plumbing company, taking the leap into entrepreneurship, and eventually moving his family to Florida to start over in an entirely new market. What followed wasn't a smooth success story. Visa issues. Financial pressure. Starting a business with no local network. A tornado damaged their home. Raising four kids. And the constant challenge of balancing ambition with being present for the people who matter most. This conversation goes far beyond business. It's about the decisions that shape your life. The moments where everything feels uncertain. The sacrifices people don't see. And the realization that sometimes the hardest experiences end up being the ones you're most grateful for. We also dive into: • Building a business from nothing • Taking risks when nobody believes in you • Why adversity can become your greatest advantage • Entrepreneurship and leadership • Creating a company culture that lasts • The trades industry and the opportunities people overlook • Marriage, fatherhood, and responsibility • What success actually means as you get older • Why some people stay stuck while others move forward • The challenge of providing for your family without losing yourself in the process One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Angelo's perspective on legacy. Not the business. Not the money. Not the accomplishments. But the impact you have on your children and the example you set for them every day. If you're an entrepreneur, a parent, someone thinking about taking a risk, or simply trying to build a meaningful life, this is a conversation you'll connect with. Guest: Angelo Verardi Founder, AV Mechanical Instagram: @angeloverardi and @avmechanical  website: https://www.avmechanical.com/ Hosted by: Eric Winegard CEO of Rare Blue Moon Marketing Gold Coast Podcast Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with entrepreneurs, leaders, founders, and people building extraordinary lives. Thank you all for listening in on today's episode of The Gold Coast Podcast!

Can AI Really Replace Human Relationships? | Pedro Kroeff

Everyone is asking the wrong question about AI. The question isn't: "Will AI take my job?" The real question is: "What will humans be left to do?" In this episode of the Gold Coast Podcast, Eric Winegard sits down with Pedro Kroeff, CEO and Co-Founder of Tundra AI Labs, for a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, business systems, sales, leadership, and what the future of work actually looks like. Pedro isn't selling fear. He's building solutions. After helping grow and eventually sell a successful technology company, Pedro leaped into entrepreneurship and launched Tundra AI Labs to help businesses eliminate repetitive work, reduce chaos, and create more time for the things that actually matter.  But this conversation goes far beyond software. They discuss: *  Will AI replace employees?  *  What happens to jobs when technology moves faster than society can adapt?  *  Why trust and relationships may become more valuable than ever  *  The future of sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship  *  Why some companies will thrive while others disappear  *  How small businesses can actually benefit from AI  *  Why human connection still wins  *  The biggest mistake business owners are making right now  *  How technology can give people their time back  *  What the next 10 years could look like  One of the most interesting moments comes when Pedro explains that AI isn't just about replacing people. It's about eliminating the repetitive work that prevents people from doing their highest-value activities.  This isn't a conversation about robots. It's a conversation about opportunity. Because every major technological shift creates winners and losers. The people who learn fastest usually win. Guest: Pedro Kroeff CEO & Co-Founder, Tundra AI Labs Instagram: @tiko.mail website: https://tundraailabs.com/ Hosted By: Eric Winegard CEO of Rare Blue Moon Marketing Thank you all for listening in on today's episode of The Gold Coast Podcast!

The App That Could Save Thousands Of Lives | Lee Jones

Most people complain about problems. A few people build solutions. Lee Jones looked at a world with mass shootings, growing safety concerns, slow emergency response times, and communities that often don't know danger is happening until it's too late. Then he asked a simple question: "What if there was a better way?" In this episode of the Gold Coast Podcast, Eric Winegard sits down with Lee Jones, Founder of Real-Time Alert, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, public safety, technology, faith, personal responsibility, and the mission behind an app designed to help people react faster when every second matters. What starts as a discussion about innovation quickly becomes something much deeper. Lee shares the story behind Real-Time Alert, a platform designed to enable faster communication among communities, event organizers, first responders, and everyday citizens during emergencies. He explains why traditional emergency response systems often move too slowly and how technology can help bridge that gap. But the most powerful part of this episode isn't the technology. It's the man behind it. Lee opens up about growing up in Kentucky, discovering painful truths about his family, struggling with anger, making life-changing mistakes, rebuilding his marriage, finding faith, and learning that some of life's greatest setbacks can become the foundation for your greatest purpose. In This Episode:  Can technology help prevent tragedy?  Why emergency response systems need to evolve  The vision behind Real-Time Alert  The future of AI and public safety  Why community awareness matters  How faith shaped Lee's journey  Breaking generational cycles  Marriage, forgiveness, and redemption  Why grit matters more than talent  The American Dream and personal responsibility  The story of Paul Revere and the original "real-time alert" This episode isn't just about safety. It's about purpose. It's about taking the hardest moments of your life and turning them into something that helps other people. Whether you're an entrepreneur, parent, leader, person of faith, or someone trying to build something meaningful, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Guest: Lee Jones Founder & CEO, Real-Time Alert Learn More: Real-TimeAlert.com Instagram: @realtimealert YouTube: @Real-TimeAlert Hosted By: Eric Winegard CEO of Rare Blue Moon Marketing Gold Coast Podcast Follow us for more! Instagram:  ⁨@goldcoastpodcast⁩ [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCCoygJUrQ1wVfNrILxMGeVQ]  TikTok: @thegoldcoastpodcast Thank you all for listening in on today's episode of The Gold Coast Podcast!

What To Do Immediately After An Accident | Monica Balyasny

What should you actually do after an accident? In this episode of the Gold Coast Podcast, Eric Winegard sits down with Monica Balyasny, Attorney at JT Law Firm, to discuss personal injury law, insurance companies, entrepreneurship, family, and what it really takes to build a successful business while raising a family. Monica shares her journey from graduating law school during COVID to helping build JT Law Firm alongside her husband. Today, she leads the firm's personal injury division while balancing life as a wife, mother of two, and business owner. The conversation dives into: - What to do immediately after an accident - Common mistakes people make with insurance companies - How personal injury cases actually work - Why insurance adjusters try to settle quickly - The challenges of running a business with your spouse - Entrepreneurship during uncertain times - Building a law firm from the ground up - Motherhood, ambition, and work-life balance - Why accessibility matters in legal representation - The future vision for JT Law Firm Monica also shares her philosophy of being a client's "Legal Bestie," someone who helps people navigate difficult situations with honesty, accessibility, and real support. If you've ever wondered what really happens behind personal injury claims, how successful entrepreneurs balance family and business, or what it takes to build something meaningful from scratch, this episode is for you. Guest: Monica Balyasny Attorney | JT Law Firm Website: https://jtlegaloffices.com/attorney-monica-balyasny/ Hosted By: Eric Winegard Gold Coast Podcast Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, industry leaders, business owners, and experts who are making an impact. Thank you all for listening in on today's episode of The Gold Coast Podcast!